Hikari's phone buzzed sharply against the silence of her room. She glanced down at the screen, a message from Rika lighting up the group chat.
Rika: Heyyy! The summer festival's tomorrow! 🎆 Anyone down to go?
Hikari: I'm in! Been looking forward to this all week 😊
Ren: Count me in, too. Need a break from studying haha
Yuuto: …Yeah, I'll come.
Rika: Yay! Perfect! Let's meet at the station at 6 pm? Don't be late!
Hikari: Got it! Can't wait~
Yuuto: Okay.
Hikari's lips curved into a small smile. "Okay..." she whispered to herself, cheeks warming. She clutched her phone a little tighter, heart fluttering with excitement.
The evening air was cool as Hikari waited near the station exit, her heart beating a little faster. She was wearing a soft pink yukata, patterned with delicate cherry blossoms.
A voice called from behind. "Hikari~!"
Hikari turned to see Rika waving energetically, her black hair catching the last light of sunset. Right beside her was Ren, hands casually stuffed into his jacket pockets, a mischievous grin on his face.
"Finally!" Rika exclaimed. "I thought you'd get stuck in the crowd or something."
Hikari laughed. "You wish."
Just then, Yuuto emerged from the shadows, his dark hair slightly tousled from the breeze. His eyes immediately landed on Hikari, and for a moment, his breath seemed to catch. "Cute", he spoke out loud.
"Complimenting your girlfriend already, huh?"Ren said teasingly.
"Hey, Yuuto," Hikari greeted him, a playful smile tugging at her lips. "Trying to act cool or just surprised to see me like this?"
Yuuto scratched the back of his neck, a faint smile breaking through his nervousness. "I uh, you look really nice."
"Flustered already?" Hikari teased, nudging him lightly. "Don't worry, I'm not a ghost."
Rika rolled her eyes with a grin. "Get a room, you two! The festival's waiting."
Ren chuckled. "Yeah, don't keep the fireworks waiting."
The four of them laughed and fell into step together, weaving through the bustling streets toward the heart of the festival, the sounds of music and laughter growing louder with every step.
The summer festival thrummed with life. Lanterns swayed gently in the evening breeze, their soft glow painting warm patches of light across the bustling streets.
The air was thick with the mingling scents of grilled corn, sweet cotton candy, and a faint hint of fireworks yet to burst.
Around them, laughter bubbled up, blending with the chatter of friends and the occasional clatter of game booths.
Rika tugged Ren's sleeve and whispered with a mischievous grin, "Let's give these two some space. They need a moment alone, right?"
Ren smirked and nodded. "Good idea."
Rika called back to Hikari and Yuuto, "We'll catch up with you guys later! Have fun!"
Hikari gave a small wave. "See you soon!"
Yuuto nodded quietly, his gaze flickering nervously toward the festival lights, as if unsure what to say.
As Rika and Ren drifted away toward another game stall, the crowd around Hikari and Yuuto seemed to increase.
They walked side by side in a comfortable silence, the warm glow of lanterns softening the evening.
Suddenly, a voice broke through the quiet.
"Amamiya-chan."
Hikari turned to see Toma and his group casually leaning against a nearby stall, his sunglasses perched atop his head and a stick of candied apples in hand.
"Senpai!" Hikari said softly, surprised.
Toma smiled smoothly. "Didn't expect to see you here."
Yuuto's eyes narrowed as he stepped a little farther away from Hikari, the unease tightening in his chest.
Toma asked Hikari with a teasing grin. "Why don't you join us?"
Hikari hesitated but smiled politely. "Sure."
Yuuto walked behind Hikari and Toma's group,
Behind, Rika and Ren exchanged whispers.
Rika asked Ren, her voice low. "What is senpai doing here?"
Ren said, "How can I know?"
They leaned in just enough so only Yuuto could hear. "Hey, you okay? You seem... off. Jealous, maybe?"
Yuuto's jaw clenched for a brief moment before he forced a shake of his head. "I'm not jealous."
"Sure, sure," Rika teased with a wink.
Hikari caught the exchange and gave Yuuto a gentle smile, nudging his arm softly. "Relax, Yuuto. It's just a festival. No need to get worked up."
He managed a small smile back, but his eyes kept flickering anxiously, scanning the crowd as if searching for something-or—someone.
The group drifted through the sea of lanterns, laughter bubbling around Hikari. Toma stayed close, leading her to a yakisoba stall.
"Let's get you something, Amamiya-chan. You've got to try this," he said, handing her a steaming tray of noodles with a wink.
"Oh—thanks, Senpai," she replied, taking it with both hands.
He grinned. "Come on, you can't enjoy the festival on an empty stomach."
Yuuto trailed a few steps behind, swallowed by Toma's noisy group. His hands were stuffed in his pockets, eyes downcast as Hikari laughed softly at something Toma said.
Then Toma took Hikari to another stall. All are laughing and enjoying but Yuuto was watching from the sidelines, left alone.
At a ring toss game, Toma turned to Hikari with a sparkle in his eyes. "Watch this, Amamiya-chan. I'm winning you that giant teddy bear."
She laughed. "Confident, aren't you?"
"Always." Toma tossed the rings with exaggerated flair and to everyone's surprise, landed three in a row. The vendor handed him a plush white bear.
He turned, presenting it to her. "Here. You'll have to carry it, though, unless you want me to walk you home too."
Hikari chuckled, her cheeks slightly warm. "I can handle it. But thanks."
Behind them, a pair of Toma's friends snickered.
"Look at them," one whispered. "They're totally matching."
"Yeah, like a power couple or something."
"They are both attracting a crowd and glowing like something special."
When Yuuto looked around, the whole crowd was really looking to Hikari and Toma, he thought, "I am not a match for her."
Yuuto's heart sank. His fingers curled into fists. He looked up just in time to see Hikari glance his way—but he quickly turned his head, pretending to admire the lanterns instead.
When Hikari sees Yuuto was not making eye contact and looking said she tries to go to him, but Toma appears and says, "Amamiya-chan! Let's take a group photo."
She glanced at Yuuto, then thought "Let's take a photo for a moment, Yuuto will also their."
A group photo was taken near the goldfish scooping stall. Toma threw his arm around his friend, and Hikari stood beside him, holding the teddy bear. Everyone laughed as the camera clicked.
But when she checked the photo moments later, her smile faltered.
Yuuto wasn't in it.
She turned around, scanning the crowd.
"Where did he go?"
Just as she stepped forward to search for him, Toma tugged her sleeve.
"Let's go over there, Amamiya-chan. The fireworks are about to start."
She hesitated. "I… I was just—"
"Come on," he said smoothly, leading her toward the riverside.
As the fireworks erupted into the night sky, everyone around them cheered. Toma leaned slightly closer, his voice nearly lost in the noise.
"This is nice, huh? Makes you forget everything else."
Hikari nodded with a polite smile, but her gaze drifted elsewhere. She wasn't really listening anymore.
Then she saw him.
Far off, near the edge of the crowd, Yuuto stood alone, arms crossed, head tilted up at the sky, a quiet sadness in his posture.
Her heart clenched.
"I'll be right back," she said abruptly.
Toma blinked. "Huh? But the fireworks—"
"I just... I'll be quick."
She didn't wait for him to protest. She pushed through the crowd, her yukata brushing against strangers, eyes locked on the spot where Yuuto had stood.
But when she reached it, he was gone.
Only the dim outline of lanterns and strangers remained.
Her breath caught. She spun around, searching—but Yuuto was nowhere to be found.
Her chest tightened. "Yuuto?" she called again, voice trembling slightly...
She pulled out her phone, hands trembling. No new messages. No missed calls.
"Should I message him?"
She typed, then deleted. Typed again. Her thumb hovered over "send."Â
Her breath came quicker. The laughter around her blurred.Â
The fireworks boomed above — but she heard nothing.
Hikar's heart was filled with guilt and panic, thinking, "What did I do? I...I just left him alone and didn't even care about him."
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To be continued...